Avebury ready to rock again as fundraising event returns

Avebury Rocks returns next month with Prospect Hospice taking over the reins of the sponsored walk section of the event.

The festival took a break last year but will return on Sunday, July 13.

Singer/songwriter Nick Harper is continuing to take charge of the musical side of the charity fundraiser and has lined up Gabby Young, Jon Gomm, Rev Hammer and Avebury resident George Wilding as well as himself for the evening concert.

In the first two years the walk, which starts at the Avebury stone circle, was 20 miles but it has been reduced to nine to encourage more people to get involved.

Mr Harper said: “Because Prospect is local and with it being the benefactor it made sense really.

“I think it’s been quite successful and it’s good for them to see how the festival will evolve in the future.

“You can’t improve on the walk itself, it’s a beautiful walk with fantastic history but I think the route is a lot better.”

Mr Harper started the event in 2011, inspired by the support the hospice gave to his mum, Monica Weston, the former head of St Peter’s School, who died from cancer.

He said: “I have experienced first-hand the care they give and not just to the person that is ill but the family as well. I was just so impressed by the dignity that they allowed for and I just knew I had to give something back.

“Unless it’s something you’ve been through, people don’t talk about end of life care, so events like Avebury Rocks raise the profile of Prospect and their involvement in the community.

“It is just an incredible job that they do, I don’t think I could do it, and I just think they need our support.”

Tickets to the afternoon concert only are available but anyone that registers for the walk receives a free ticket to the music event.

Over the two previous stagings of Avebury Rocks, the event has raised a combined total of over £50k.

Comments

Ipsoregulated

This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standards Organisation's Editors' Code of Practice. If you have a complaint about the editorial content which relates to inaccuracy or intrusion, then please contact the editor here. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can contact IPSO here